2021 Open Face 'Voyeur'

Region: Umpqua Valley < Oregon

Grapes: 70% Chardonnay / 30% Semillon

Vineyard/Cellar stats: Organic farming, jory/volcanic loam soils; co-fermented then bottled with a splash of RS and allowed to finish fermentation in bottle;  unfined/unfiltered with >20ppm added SO2; 12.5% ABV; 190 cases

Winemaker: Michael Croom

Michael Croom's wine journey was not a direct route but rather a meandering, sometimes clumsy, amble.  Michael, with aspirations of being a chef, attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York, but it was the required wine course there that lit his fire.  He aced the class - something Michael readily admits was a first (and only) in his academic career, and eventually made his way to California with his then girlfriend, now wife, for various kitchen and wine jobs.  In 2014, he worked harvest in New Zealand, an experience that put him firmly on the wine path, followed by a move to Oregon to give it a go.

Michael named his project Open face in homage to an infatuation with motorcycles, which, to him, represent ultimate freedom.  Hitting the road "open faced" is a spirit he wants to evoke in the wines he's making, all of which start with strictly organic vineyards. And all of which are balanced and beautiful.  This time around, we're loving his 'Voyeur', a slightly frizzante Chardonnay/Semillon blend.

We asked Michael to share his inspiration for Voyeur: The Umpqua Valley Chard/Semillon Co-ferment is the same fruit as last year’s white blend, but having found the finish to be a bit short and the wine to be a bit too simple, I decided to punch it up a bit, by bottling with about a quarter brix residual sugar and let it finish in bottle. I friggin’ love frizzante wine, and I never can find it when I want it. It’s sooo scrumptious. Organic, and dry farmed!"

We agree, this one is scrumptious!  A little salty, with bright golden fruit and tiny prickle  of effervescence, not really bubbles, just subtle energy.  Sadly, this is the last vintage for Open Face, as Michael is hanging up his hat, so stock up while you can.  Especially with the holidays upon us, because this one would be fantastic in the Thanksgiving wine lineup!